Sunday, August 15, 2010

Goodbyes.

Pardon me here, but I suck at goodbyes. No, really. I avoid them whenever possible. Ask my bff from high school who lives in Houston. Whenever we meet up, we intentionally squeeze in another meeting before she leaves and then cancel, just so neither one of us really has to get into that ugly cry in front of the other. We've been doing this "dance" for 20 years or so, and it works for us.
This is a photo of my niece Cassidy. It was taken yesterday, in front of her new residence at her dream collage. She's a Corker, this one. At age 18, it is safe to say that she's seen a lot for a girl her age. I simply cannot express the pride I have for her.

This would be my family, showing up to surprise her on moving day yesterday...
Sometimes you just gotta follow your heart and show up. Completely unexpected, and perfect just the same...

Our oldest child isn't anywhere near moving out yet, but I spent the whole ride home thinking about it and savoring today even more. Lots of "Cassidy looked just like her a minute ago, and now she's GONE" moments. Tears. Inside jokes. Singing songs the whole ride home. Recalling our own college years and cleaning some of it up for the kids. :) Reflecting on how quickly time flies.
I also had visions of me handcuffing my children to our front door for the rest of their lives at the thought of the leaving home. My hats off to you moms who have done escorted thier kids off to college and left them there. How do you do it? I'll need medication, I have no doubt.

Feeling pretty grateful right now. I'm so glad I scrapbook. So grateful she's a day drive away, and we know where to visit. Grateful for my sister, who cried way more than me (ha). Grateful for social media and technology (especially the GPS that got us there, and facebook, for keeping us all connected.) Especially grateful for the phone call when we got home, just to make sure we got back safely.
And really grateful to you for reading this sappy blog post.

11 comments:

Kristi said...

I normally lurk here, but wanted to send you a hug this morning after reading this. ((HUG))

Time sure does fly.

Laina Lamb said...

OMG. I am three years away from this and you got my all teary this morning. Makes me want to go up to his football practice and hug him. (he would kill me!)

jamie said...

bring on the sappy...i can relate in some ways as we are on the cusp of one entering high school this year...and i am fully aware of how 4 years flies by! by heart goes out to you!

Nancy Damiano said...

And here I almost had a breakdown leaving DS at preschool for the first time. The thought of college makes me :::shudder:::.

Good luck to your niece!

janet said...

Makes me sad thinking about it! I will need meds to if my kids go off to college. (they are 10 and 8 so i have a few years!) All though, I just got done telling them yesterday that they will be attending the community college that offers university courses. Great pictures!

Debbi Tehrani said...

Awww... Hugs. I love your sappy post!

borcherding said...

I can't even THINK about my daughter leaving for college!!!

bandaidqueen said...

Oldest left for art school in San Francisco last year (90 minutes away) and is home for the summer. We move my youngest next Thursday to the same school and then move my oldest back next Saturday. And then I will come home to a empty house except for some cats. Not sure how that is going to be.

pickmepam said...

i've got 5 days left with maggie. i know i will ball my eyes out. tearing up as i type.

Ryzmomplus2 said...

Awe, this is the sweetest post! You remember me two years ago when Chels first left for college! sniff sniff... she just left last week to begin her Junior year and I miss her already- even these years are flying by!

Anonymous said...

As I use my t-shirt to wipe the tears, I promise myself, once again, that I will not break down when my oldest starts her first day of middle school...how will I ever prepare for college!!!!

Best of luck to your sister and your niece.